Top 10 New Wave of American Heavy Metal Bands

This is a list of the best New wave of american heavy metal bands. And please only use bands that are on Wikipedia's list located here.
The Top Ten
1 Lamb of God Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler.

I honestly think that this band is #1 on this list, not a7x, mostly because of a few reasons: 1) they've been here longer, starting in the days they were known as Burn The Priest, 2) their musicianship as a whole is more complex and not watered down, and 3) they just kick ass! These guys have put out a ton of albums over 20 years, and they haven't budged an inch since their debut as far as heavyness goes! If you don't agree just listen to Laid to Rest and Redneck. Oh, they also have GROOVE to them, a lot like Pantera!

For those who disagree or don't know Lamb Of God, listen to them, they are the kings, boasting with songs such as Blacken The Cursed Sun, Laid To Rest, Vigil. This band is ultimately the best New Wave Of American Heavy Metal (and heavy metal) band... Can't argue with that... And if you disagree, we Lamb Of God fans wouldn't bother because we're doing fine without ya.

2 Avenged Sevenfold Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band, that was formed 1999 in California. Their longest lineup of members was M. Shadows (Vocals), Synyster Gates (Lead Guitar), Zacky Vengeance (Rhythm Guitar), Johnny Christ (Bass Guitar), and The Rev (Drums)... read more

They're one of the most popular and influential metal bands today. These guys are very talented musicians and songwriters. They are technical enough to please metal fans while being catchy and melodic enough to sound good to people who aren't metal fans. a lot of their sound does derive from their influences but at the same time they also have their own sound as well. They experiment and change their genre more than I change my underwear and they still sound good with each change, not exactly an easy thing to do. Good riffs, nice dual guitar harmonies, fantastic solos, catchy and beautiful melodies, very good lyrics, and amazing vocals. Their albums "waking the fallen", "city of evil", and "the stage" are absolute masterpieces. I listen to many metal and rock bands, especially a lot from this list, and yet A7X still surprises me with how talented they are and how great their music is. One of the best bands of all time in my opinion, easily!

3 Pantera Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul. The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After discarding their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, the band signed a major record deal with... read more

Pantera all the way for number #1, There the only REAL Heavy metal band that's stuck to there roots and not get sucked in to all that mainstream that happened in the nighties, They were Heavy, They stayed Heavy. ( like the other post said ). And Not get lighter with each album. And I think we can all Thank god that Dime stuck by his brother and didn't take the offer from Dave mustaine and join megadeth, Or else we wouldn't have such a Pure American Heavy metal band.

1. Pantera
2. Machine Head
3. Lamb of God

There is no way Avenged Sevenfold should be at the top of this list, they are a great band, but it's a bit of a stretch to say they are Metal. Pantera was undoubtedly metal, and if anything they got heavier with each album they released. The guys for A7X have frequently said that Pantera was one of their biggest influences. Pantera started the NWOAHM and will always be the greatest!

4 Mastodon Mastodon is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia, formed in early 2000 and composed of bassist Troy Sanders, guitarists Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher and drummer Brann Dailor.

By far the most original and creative of all metal bands mentioned in this list. They continue to develop their progressive/sludge inspired sound and push their music into new territory whereas most metals bands have failed to evolve since the last decade. Mastodon continue to experiment and expanded the metal genre and refuse to conform to the homogeneity of the current scenes. They are a force to be reckoned with and have yet to displease critics and fans alike.

As the guy below me has stated, they are the most original metal band of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal movement. Excellent musicans, with incredibly consistent albums. They are by far the best metal band post-2000.

5 Slipknot Slipknot is an American metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa in 1996. The band is best known as one of the pioneers of the New Wave of American Alternative Metal during the late 1990s - 2000s and are distinguishable by the band's clothing choices, consisting of black/red jumpsuits and horror inspired... read more

This is bull! How could they be at number 4. They were the start of the new wave of heavy metal! And there hasn't been any other band as insane as them live, even though the self-titled and Iowa era was way better than the new era (vol3 and all hope is gone). But they are back alright! The Gray Chapter is their best album yet... In my opinion

Just a pure American Heavy Metal band that deserves all the recognition they have received and more as there live performances, attention grabbing image and brutal yet melodic music are all unrivalled. Slipknot is one of the if not the most unique band of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal

6 Machine Head Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by vocalist and guitarist Robb Flynn and bassist Adam Duce. They have received great critical success especially for their album "The Blackening" which is considered a modern metal... read more

Burn My Eyes and The More Things Change were fantastic and purely heavy albums. Seriously strong stuff from a band that had just began. The Burning Red and Supercharger? More experimental but still heavy and both still solid albums by the band. Through The Ashes Of Empires was a return to their older roots and christ, it was heavy! But then came The Blackening... An album so fast, so heavy and so beautiful that is easily the equivalent of today's Master Of Puppets, Among The Living, Rust In Peace or Reign In Blood. Not to forget Unto The Locust, an album that doesn't try and rival the predecessor as most bands would try but instead simply tries, and succeeds, to stand by it. You want the best band is the NWOAHM? This is it! MACHINE HEAD RULE! M/

P.S. machine Head should be first and Pantera should be second... Just saying.

7 KoRn Korn is an American nu-metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band's current lineup includes founding members Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Brian "Head" Welch, and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, with the addition of Ray Luzier, who replaced the band's original member, David... read more

If it wasn't for korn, none of these bands would exist. Deal with it! Korn is the band who started the new wave of American heavy metal. The vocalist from korn (jonathan Davis) is the first person who started singing about emotions and such, before it was just lame lyrics, and they were also the first really heavy band with 7 stringed guitars and 5 stringed basses. What I love with them is that they don't use ugly ass solos and they don't scream their guts out.

I'm sorry but since when was Korn heavy metal? I'll give them metal, but not heavy metal. This whole list is of mostly metal bands, not heavy metal. I do believe it is an inaccurate list. When you talk about new age heavy metal you think of Born of Osiris, Parkway Drive, Reflections, etc. Like even having Djent bands here would be better then the bands you are calling heavy metal in this list.

8 Trivium Trivium is an American Heavy Metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. Their frontman, Matt Heafy, lead guitarist Corey Beaulieu and Bassist Paulo Gregoletto are the band's most consistent members and have appeared in every album since... read more

The band that will carry the Metal torch into the future! This band needs to be on the top because of their last album alone with The Sin and the Sentence. Their unique sound is constantly evolving and the are an amazing live band that sound better in person.

Beast band that totally deserves to be in the top 10. It's a pity that it is totally underrated. This band makes divine music and are by far the most consistent band from the top 10 list along with disturbed, slipknot and a7x

Trivium is one of my favourite heavy matel bands I like all of there songs and I hope to see them in liverpool. my favourite songs are Wake The (end is nigh) In waves and At the end of this war

9 Disturbed Disturbed is an American alternative metal/nu-metal/hard rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band comprises vocalist David Draiman, bassist John Moyer, guitarist Dan Donegan, and drummer Mike Wengren. They are known for songs like "Down With the Sickness" and "Stricken".

I'll list my top 5 new metal bands: 1. Disturbed 2. Avenged Sevenfold 3. Five Finge Death Punch 4. Godsmack 5. Slipknot
P.S. how is Pantera a new band? A7x coverd "Walk" because they're that old. If they were new they'd be on my list.

Disturbed is the best of these metal bands, one of the top 3 metal bands ever and one of the top 5 bands ever.

Listen to Ten Thousand Fists and Asylum all the way through and your mind will be blown.

10 System of a Down System of a Down, formed in 1994, is an Armenian-American alternative metal group from Glendale, California. The band name is sometimes shortened to System or SOAD. They've always been a very political band since their inception. Often being against genocide and war most notably in songs like: Pluck,... read more

Got to be one of the best bands ever. Completely original music with a style that ranges from the softer vocals and instrumentation of Roulette to the really harsh vocals and unpredictable format of Suite-pee.

Really? No System of a Down on here yet? They have a completely unique sound and influenced some of the bands on this list. They rank among Slipknot and Disturbed as pioneers of a new wave on insane metal.

Had to vote it. Pantera 1st, System of a Down 2nd.

The Contenders
11 Five Finger Death Punch Five Finger Death Punch, often shortened to Five Finger or Death Punch, also abbreviated as 5FDP or FFDP, is an American metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Formed in 2005, the band's name comes from the kung fu movie The Five Fingers of Death.

Five Finger Death Punch is much more better than Avenged Sevenfold.
Five Finger Death Punch songs are awesome and I like their music and the vocalist have a awesome voice. He perform well and can sing different types of voices.
I hate Avenged Sevenfold. Avenged Sevenfold songs are hopeless and feel funny when I listen. Avenged Sevenfold live concert is totally flopped and the worst concert ever and vocalist doesn't sound like studio album.
Their latest album 'The Stage' is totally flopped, and the music doesn't make any sense. When I listen their new songs, it doesn't make sense and sound like a flat, flopped and funny voice. I wonder, how they have composed these kind of songs with music. I consider that a crap voice is better than Avenged Sevenfold vocalist M. Shadows. I could sing much better than Avenged Sevenfold and comparing to The Stage album.
Avenged Sevenfold should have not existed in making music. I think, their talents are different from making music.
I really hate Avenged Sevenfold. Why I don't know? I hate Avenged Sevenfold vocalist M. Shadows and doesn't have a good voice like other metal band. I really hate his voice and the way he act and sing.
I also hate their music style. It is a flopped and insane music. Avenged Sevenfold music style is a mocking music in a society.
I hate all the members of Avenged Sevenfold.
Before voting, please think properly and who is going to deserve the best.

12 Killswitch Engage Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbanding of Overcast and Aftershock.

Great stuff.
Great guitars and I prefer the singer Jesse Leach.
So take a look for "Times Of Grace", too.
Another Band of Jesse Leach and Adam Dutkiewicz (Guitar Killswitch Engage)

There's a very special and unique sound and presence in every music, and it's awesome

13 As I Lay Dying As I Lay Dying is an American metalcore band from San Diego, California. Founded in 2000 by vocalist Tim Lambesis, the establishment of the band's first full lineup, which included drummer Jordan Mancino, occurred in 2001. As I Lay Dying has released six albums, one split album, and two compilation... read more
14 Black Label Society Black Label Society is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1998 by Zakk Wylde.

BLS is a and formed out Ozzy and can play just about anything, their concerts extreme and their CDs are excellent ear candy.

Zakk Wylde has to be one of the greatest guitarists in the world.

Zakk is mighty Thor. Greetings from land of vikings, Sweden.

15 Mudvayne Mudvayne was an American nu-metal/alternative metal band that was formed in Peoria, Illinois, in 1996. Originally from Bloomington, Illinois, they are known for their sonic experimentation, innovative album art, face and body paint, masks, and uniforms.

They're a good band. They kinda deserve 17 cause they are not the most popular. I like their sound and I love their song Not Falling. And I like any band that is friends with Slipknot.

Mudvayne is my favorite band, because have incredible sound and members extraordinary

16 Demon Hunter Demon Hunter is an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, started in 2000 by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark. Although the brothers created the band together, only Ryan remains, since Don left the band to take care of his family.
17 Shadows Fall Shadows Fall is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. Although the band has experienced several line-up changes, for most of its recording career, Shadows Fall has been composed of Jonathan Donais, Matt Bachand, Paul Romanko, Brian Fair, and Jason Bittner.

This band, lamb of god, and killswitch are considered the "big three" of NWOAHM. They should be WAY higher than #20! Every album is amazing, they have been on hiatus for a few years and have kind of fallen out of the spotlight but to be honest I think out of those 3 listed above; as good as they are, I enjoy SF the most.

The Modern Age Metallica. They are the closest to thrash metal in a modern sense. I don't see them as pure metalcore nor thrash. If you need riffs that you can bang your head to then this the band. They also have great solos.

18 All That Remains All That Remains is an American heavy metal band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1998. They have released eight studio albums, a live CD/DVD, and have sold over a million records worldwide.

All that remains and Godsmack should be in the top ten 2 of the best right now

19 Byzantine
20 Hatebreed Hatebreed is an American metalcore band from Connecticut, formed in 1994. They have released 7 studio albums to date, most recently The Concrete Confessional on May 13, 2016. Their musical style blends influences from hardcore punk and heavy metal; a prominent band within the hardcore scene, they have... read more
21 Down Down is an American heavy metal supergroup that formed in 1991 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Phil Anselmo, guitarist Pepper Keenan, guitarist Bobby Landgraf, bassist Pat Bruders, and drummer Jimmy Bower.
22 Unearth Unearth is an American heavy metal band from Boston, Massachusetts. Formed in 1998, the group has released six studio albums.
23 The Dillinger Escape Plan The Dillinger Escape Plan is an American mathcore band from Morris Plains, New Jersey. The group originated in 1997 after the disbanding of Arcane, a hardcore punk trio consisting of Ben Weinman, Dimitri Minakakis, and Chris Pennie.

This > Avenged Sevenfold, Disturbed and System of a Down combined. Unlike those bands, Dillinger actually possesses some originality, as well as some of the most chaotic music you'll ever hear.

24 Norma Jean
25 DevilDriver DevilDriver are an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist Dez Fafara, guitarists Mike Spreitzer and Neal Tiemann, bassist Diego "Ashes" Ibarra and drummer Austin D'Amond.

The NWofAHM is slim pickings, and we're all dying for one of these bands to break down the walls of pop music today.

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